US3681650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for the rastered reproduction of half-tone pictures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-02
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1989-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A method for the raster reproduction of half-tone pictures wherein a picture is scanned photoelectrically dot-by-dot and voltage values are generated and quantified to represent brightness ranges and wherein an alternating voltage is superimposed on the voltage values before they are quantified to generate a mixing of dot sizes indicative of one brightness range with dot sizes indicative of another adjacent brightness range and to cause the mixing to occur in such a pattern as to make transition between brightness ranges to be more pleasing to the eye.
Inventors
- 👤 Roman Koll
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/405; H04N1/4055; H04N1/4057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the raster reproduction of halftone pictures comprising: scanning the picture dot-by-dot photoelectrically and quantifying the voltage values of the picture signal analogous with the brightness values of the picture being reproduced, assigning different raster dot sizes to each quantified voltage value and expressing the same in binary code, superimposing on the voltage values before the process of quantification an alternating voltage.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for the raster reproduction of halftone pictures comprising: scanning the picture dot-by-dot photoelectrically and quantifying the voltage values of the picture signal analogous with the brightness values of the picture being reproduced, assigning different raster dot sizes to each quantified voltage value and expressing the same in binary code, superimposing on the voltage values before the process of quantification an alternating voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 including forming the amplitude of the alternating voltage to be approximately equal to half the difference between two successive quantified voltage values.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, including timing the points at which the voltage values are quantified and forming the alternating voltage to have a frequency which is at least one-quarter of the timing frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the alternating voltage is a triangular-shaped voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the alternating voltage which is superimposed is a sawtooth-shaped voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the quantified voltage stages increase with increasing density in accordance with the Munsell physiological sensitivity curve, and wherein the amplitude of the alternating voltage for superimposition also increases with increasing density.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, including forming the amplitude of the superimposed voltage to be a function of a voltage which is obtained by a non-linear distortion of a voltage proportional to the density of the picture.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for the raster reproduction of half-tone pictures comprising the steps of: forming raster dots of a first size in correspondence with a first tonal value which is representative for a first range of tonal values of a tone control scale, forming raster dots of a second size in correspondence with an adjacent second tonal value which is representative for a second range of tonal values of a tone control scale, intermixing said first and second size raster dots if the tonal value to be achieved lies between said first and second tonal values, reproducing said intermixed first and second size raster dots.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for the raster reproduction of half-tone pictures comprising the steps of: forming raster dots of a first size in correspondence with a first tonal value which is representative for a first range of tonal values of a tone control scale, forming raster dots of a second size in correspondence with an adjacent second tonal value which is representative for a second range of tonal values of a tone control scale, intermixing said first and second size raster dots if the tonal value to be achieved lies between said first and second tonal values, reproducing said intermixed first and second size raster dots.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the raster dots of said first and second sizes are mixed in a proportion which corresponds to the ratio of the differences between the tonal value to be achieved and said two adjacent first and second tonal values.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for the raster reproduction of half-tone pictures comprising the steps of photoelectrically scanning a half-tone picture dot by dot, generating voltage values, quantifying said values to represent brightness ranges, and superimposing an alternating voltage on said voltage values before they are quantified to generate a mixing of dot sizes indicative of one brightness range with dot sizes indicative of another adjacent brightness range and mixing the dot sizes in a proportion which corresponds to the ratio of the differences between the value to be achieved and the adjacent values.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for the raster reproduction of half-tone pictures comprising the steps of photoelectrically scanning a half-tone picture dot by dot, generating voltage values, quantifying said values to represent brightness ranges, and superimposing an alternating voltage on said voltage values before they are quantified to generate a mixing of dot sizes indicative of one brightness range with dot sizes indicative of another adjacent brightness range and mixing the dot sizes in a proportion which corresponds to the ratio of the differences between the value to be achieved and the adjacent values.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |